Aerial camera mount



Jan, 29, 194.6.

J. A. WILLS ET AL AERIAL CAMERA MOUNT Filed Aug. 5l, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheetl lz v C@ V4 l 74 [N VEN ron s fof/NA VV/L. 1 5 L ELMERRM/HEATON Fan TH:FIRM Arron/vs. YJ

Jan. 29, 1946. ,lA A. WILLS ET AL 2,393,851

AERIAL CAMERA MOUNT Filed'Aug. 31, 1943 4 SheeS-Sheel;` 5

[NVsNf-ons' ,JOHN A.- W/LLs YLMER I2 WHEATo/V ATTORNEYS Jan. 29, 1946.J. A. WMS ET AL 2,393,851

AERIAL CAMERA MOUNT Filed Aug. 51, 1945 4 sheets-sheet 4 [NVE/v roms nFOB THE FIRM ATTORNEY@ Patented 29, 1946 t AERIAL CAMERA MOUNT John A.Wills, Altadena, and Elmer P. Wheaton,

Los AngelessCallf., assignors to Fairchild, Polley & Ellel, Inc., LosAngelemCalii'., a corpora.-

tion of California Application August 31, 1943, Serial No. 500,656

30 Claims.

Our invention relates to an article-supporting device and, since itfinds particular utility in a device for mounting a camera in a vehiclesuch as an airplane, an embodiment adapted for such use and theadvantages provided thereby are described hereinafter, it beingunderstood that our invention is not limited to such use. In taking.photographs of the terrain from aircraft, as for example for thepurpose of making a, photographic map, it is necessary that the camerabe maintained with its vertical and horizontal axes in a substantiallyconstant position relative to the ground. It is impossible to maintainconstant the positions of the vertical and horizontal axes of theaircraft relative to the ground because oi' variations in the rate oi'movement and density of the surrounding air.

It is necessary therefore to provide in a mount for such an aerialcamera. means for varying the position of the camera to compensate fortilt of the aircraft or vertical movement of its longitudinal horizontalaxis relative t the ground, tip of the aircraft, or vertical movement ofits transverse horizontal axis, and crabbing motion of the aircraft, orhorizontal movement of its horizontal longitudinal axis relative to theground.

Since all of such movements of the aircraft nei cessitating a variationin the position of the camera relative to the aircraft are unpredictableas to both their extent and time of occurrence and change rapidly, it isnecessary that such a mount for aerial camera be capable of adjustmentto provide a compensating movement of the caniera relative to theaircraft in a very short interval of time.

It is an object of our invention to provide a mount for such an aerialcamera having means manually controllable for rapidly and accuratelymoving the camera to compensate for all of the above described movementsof the aircraft in order to maintain the vertical and horizontal axesinthe desired relationship with the earth in spite of any such movementsof the aircraft.

Any of such movements of the aircraft for vent such movement of thecamera in response to movement of the aircraft.

It is undesirable to alterthe position of the camera relative to theaircraft by exerting force upon the mounting through the camera, becauseof the danger of damage to the camera; and it is one of the otherobjects of our invention to provide an aerial camera mount which may bereadily adjusted by the operator to vary the position of the camerarelative to the aircraft without touching the camera.

which compenastion must be made in the position of the camera may besosudden in occurrence and violent in extent as to cause an undesirablemovement of the camera `relative to the aircraft, unless the mountingcontains means restraining such movement. Oneof the objects of ourinvention is to provide a mount for an aerial camera which includesmeans associated with the means for adjusting the position of the camerarelative to the aircraft which will pre- Aircraft in flight areunavoidably subjected to vibrations of relatively high frequency, thisfrequency being of the order of `1800 to 2500 cycles per minute. Suchvibrations, if transmitted vto the camera, render it extremely diilicultand frequently impossible to take photographs satisfactory for mapping.

It is an object of our invention to provide a mount for an aerial.camera including means for absorbing the vibration of the aircraft andpreventing the transmission of such vibration to the camera to such anextent that photographs of substantially perfect definition may besecured. This object we accomplish by utilizing bodies of resilientmaterial, such as rubber, in-

terposed between the aircraft and the camera. The resilient propertiesof such material decrease at the low temperatures existing at thosealtitudes at which it is frequently desired to take aerial photographs,and it is desirable therefore that means be provided for retaining thedesirable resilient fproperties of such material at such temperatures.

v More specifically, it is an object of our invention to provide a mountfor an aerial camera having bodies of resilient material interposedbetween the aircraft ,and the camera and absorbing the vibrations of theaircraft by variations in theI torsion to which such resilient bodiesare sub jected in such manner as to retain the resilient properties ofthe bodies at all temperatures to which they are subjected for suc-huse.

It is frequently desirable to employ in an aircraft haying a fixedcradle or foundation for a camera mount aerial cameras of diiferent conelengths, while maintainingthe lens of each different camerasubstantially in the plane of the floor of the aircraft and out of theair stream. Accordingly' it is an object of our invention to provide amount for an aerial camera which includes. means for rapidly varyingtheposition ofthe camera relative to the floor of the aircraft and securingthe camera in any of a plurality of predetermined positions relative tothe aircraft..

An embodiment of our invention capable of accomplishing these objectsand providing such and otheradvantages is described in the followingspecication, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the aerial camera mount ofour invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the mount illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken as indicated by the line 8-8of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken as indicated by the line 4-4of Fig. 1;

Fig. 'I is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line'I-l of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line8-8 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings the numeral II indicates generallya camera mount of ourinvention which is supported by a cradle I2 carried by the aircraft.'I'he cradle I2 includes rods or bars I8 supported longitudinally withinthe aircraft and a pair'of arms I4 extending inwardly and substantiallyhorizontally from each of the rods I 3. As illustrated in Fig. 2, therods I8 and their associated arms I4 are spaced on each side of an.opening I5 in the floor I8 of the aircraft.

The numeral I'I indicates a foundation or base means, best illustratedin Figs. 1, 3, and 4, as including a base member I8, a slide I9 and agib20. Each of the base members I8 includes horizontal arms 2| extendingover the arms I4 of the cradle I2 and provided with openings registeringwith openings in the arms I4, so that the base member I8 may be securedthereto by bolts 22. Each base member I8 includes also a centraldepending body portion having formed therein a vertical way 23 havingparallel side walls 24 at an angle other than a right angle with theplane of the base member I8. Each of the arms 2 I is 'strengthened byconnection to the dependingr body portion of the base member I8 throughwebs 25. Each base member I 8 is preferably lightened byopenings 28formed in the webs 25 and recesses 21 formed in the side of the basemember I8 opposite the way 23.

for movement into and out of the way 28 by a plurality oi' bolts 85.illustrated as two in number, extending through the gib and threadedinto the associated base member I8. Each of the bolts 88 has an enlargedhead 88 for engagement with the inner surface of the associated gib 20with a dumbbell-shaped hand lever 8'I slidably extended therethrough tofacilitate the rotation of the bolt85.

Rotatably mounted in each of the cylindrical openings 88 in the bosses28 is a cylindrical sleeve 88. best illustrated in Fig. 3. Each of thesleeves 88 is provided at its inner end with an outwardly extendingflange or collar 88 secured by screws 48 to the'inner periphery of afirst supporting member or ring 4I. The ilrst ring 4I with its attachedsleeves 88 is rotatable relative to the base means I1 about a first axiswhich is transverse of the aircraft. One of the slides I8 is providedwith a vertically extending boss 42 in which is journalled a tipadjusting rod 48 having at its upper end a tip control knob 44. The tipadjusting rod 43 is provided at its lower end with a. -worm gear 45meshing with e segmental rack 48 carried at one end of an arm, the otherend of which is secured to one of the cylindrical sleeves 88 in a mannerdescribed in greater detail hereinafter.

The tip ring 4I is provided with diametrically opposed cylindricalopenings 41, the axis of which is at a right angle to and substantiallyin the plane of the axis of the cylindrical sleeves 88.

Rotatably mounted in each of the cylindrical openings 41 is acylindrical sleeve or trunnion 48 having at its inner end an outwardlyprojecting ange or collar 48 secured by screws v5II to the innersurfacel of an upwardly projecting ear 5I formed on a second supportingmember or ring 52. Non-rotatably secured to the outer end of one of thetrunnions 48 is one end of an arm 58, the other end of which is providedwith a.

segmental rack 54.

As is best illustrated in Fig.`2, the rack 54 is concentric with theaxis of the associated trunnlon 48 and meshes with a worm gear 58carried on the lower end of a tilt adjusting rod 58 which Each of thesndes la is provided with side wens 28 converging inwardly of the cradleI8, one of which is adapted for sliding contact with one of the angledside walls 24 in the associated base member I8. Each of the slides I9 isprovided with an inwardly extending boss 29 having therethrough anopening 38 for the reception of a set pin 8I extendable into any of vaplurality oi' vertically spaced openings 32, illustrated as three innumber, in the base member I8. Likewise, formed'in each of the bosses 29is a cylindrical opening 33 for a purpose to be later described.

The gib 28 is provided withside walls 34 diverging inwardly of thecradle I2 at angles permitting them to engage one of the side walls 28of the slide I9 and one of the side walls 24 of the way 23. The gib 28is formed of such transverse dimensions that it does not engage thebottom of the way 28 and is releasably secured is provided at its upperend with a tilt control knob 51. The tilt adjusting rod 58 is journalledin an upwardly extending boss 58 formed on the first ring 4I so thatupon rotation of the worm gear 55 by manipulation of the tilt adjustingrod 58 the arm 58, and hencethe second ring 52, is rotated about asecond axis which is at a right angle to and in substantially the sameplane as the first axis about which the viirst ring 4I is rotated.

As is best illustrated in Fig. 1, the boss 58 is V formed to surroundthe arm 53 and its associated trunnion 48and is closed by a cover plate59 secured thereto by screws 80. The segmental rack 48 is connected toone of the cylindrical sleeves 88 associated with the first ring 4I byan armV identical with the arm 58, the boss 42 being like the boss 58formed to surround such arm and its associated sleeve 38 and to beclosed with a cover plate similar to the cover plate 59.

As is well illustrated in Fig.r 3, the first ring 4I is preferablyformedwith horizontal upper and lower surfaces and vertical side walls, whilethe second ring 52 is preferably'formed semielliptical in cross sectionwith its lower surface 8| substantially flat.

The second ring 52 is connected to a third supporting member 82 by aplurality of vibration absorbing connecting means or torsion linkages93, illustrated as four in number, and equally spaced around the secondring 62. The third supporting member 62 includes a lower crab ring 94and an upper crab ring 66, the two crab rings being substantiallysemi-elliptical in cross section, of equal radial dimensions, and sopositioned together that their joint cross section is substantiallyelliptical. Since all of the torsion linkages 69 are identical inconstruction, only one of such linkages will be described in detail.

Referring to Figs. 3, 5, and 6. it will be seen thateach of the torsionlinkages 93 includes a pair of upper arms 96 and a lower arm 01. The arm91 is :provided at its lower and upper ends with cylindrical hubs 99 and69 respectively. Within "each of the hubs 69 and 99 is an outercylindrical metal sleeve 10, an intermediate cylindrical sleeve 1| of aresilient and deformable material, which is preferably rubber, and aninner cylindrical metal sleeve 12.

The resilient sleeve 1l is positioned between the outer and innersleeves Aand 12 by placing upon the inner sleeve 12 a tube of resilientmate-` rial having a normal internal diameter substantially equal to theouter diameter of the inner sleeve 12. The tube of resilient materialisl then stretched axially, bringing it into tight pressural contactwith the inner sleeve 12 and reducing the external diameter of theresilient tube.

While the resilient tube is so stretched the outer sleeve 10 ispositioned around it and thereafter the tension upon the resilientsleeve 1| isy released, permitting the resilient sleeve to contractaxially and expand circumferentially. The sleeves 10, 1 I, and 12 arethen cut into appropriate axial lengths. The resilient sleeve 1| is thuselongated axially and compressed radially from its normal shape. Theouter sleeve 10 is provided with axial serrations or knurls 13 vand is`formed of hardened metal and of such dimensions that it may be driveninto either thelower or upper hubs 68 or 69, so that it will resistrotation relative thereto.

The numeral 14 indicates a fitting in the form of a sleeve having outerand inner portions 15 and 16, respectively, provided with axialserrations or knurls 11 upon their outer surfaces, the portions beingseparated by an annular radially projecting shoulder 18. The fitting 14is formed of hard metal, and the inner portion is of such dimensionsthat it may be driven into the inner sleeve 12 until the annularshoulder 1 0 contacts the end of this sleevewhen the engagement of theknurled outer surface with the inner sleeve 12 will prevent relativerotation of the fitting 14 and the sleeve 12. @ne of the fittings 14 isdriven into'each end of the inner sleeve 12 asso-1 ciated with the lowerhub 68, and the outer sleeve 10 is in a similar manner driven into thelower hub 69.

The outer portion 15 of one of the fittings 14 is driven into acylindrical opening in a lug 19, depending from and formed integral withthe lower surface 6| of the second ring 52. The outer portion 15 of theother fitting 14 is driven into a cylindrical opening of a depending arm90 of a bracket 9|, which is secured by screws 82 to the lower surface6| 0f the second ring 52.

The upper hub 69 is provided with an outer sleeve, a resilient sleeve,an inner sleeve, and two fittings, such as the sleeves 10, 1|, and 12and fitting 14 previously described. The outer portions of the fittings14 are secured in the manner hereinbefore described tol the lower end ofthe upper arms 66. The upper ends of the arms 99 are secured to theouter portions 16 of nttings 14, which, together with an outer sleeve, aresilient sleeve. and an inner sleeve, similar to the sleeves 10, 1|,and 12, are assembled in the man- 'ner hereinbefore described within aboss l! formed integral with and depending from the lower crab ring 94.The upper arms may be forced together upon the outer portions 19 of thefittings 14 assembled within the upper hub 99 and the boss 92 bythreading a nut 94 upon a bolt connecting the arms 96 intermediate theirends.

The lower crab ring 64 is provided at its upper surface with an annularrecess 96 for the reception of an outer race- 91a `oi? a ball bearing91, whereby the outer ball race 91a serves as a roller and the annularrecess 96 serves as a track therefor. 'The upper crab ring 66 isprovided in its lower surface with a plurality of recesses ,96,illustrated as threek in number, each of such dimensions as to receiveone of the ball bearings 91. 'I'he upper crab ring 66 is provided with acylindrical radially disposed opening 99 extending transversely of themiddle of each of the recesses 99 for the introduction of a pin 90therethrough into non-rotatable engagement with an inner race 91h of theball-bearing 91 positioned in such recess. Provision is thus made forthe upper crab ringy 96 to rotate upon the lower crab ring 64.

Formed in the inner surface of the lower crab ring 64 adjacent its upperedge is an annular groove 9|. A locking member 92 is provided in theform oi'v an incomplete annulus having at its 'I'he locking member 92 isthen secured to the upper crab ring 66 as by a plurality of screws 94,thus securing the upper crab ring against displacement relative t o thelower crab ring 64, while permitting the upper crab ring 65 to rotateupon the lower crab ring 64.

The upper crab ring 65 is provided with an upwardly extending boss'95which journals a crab adjusting rod 96 having at its upper end a controlknob 91. 'I'he crab adjusting rod 96 is provided at its lower end with apinion 98, best illustrated in Fig. 7, which meshes with a segmentalrack 99 connected to the periphery of the lower crab ring 64 andconcentric therewith. As is illustrated in Figs. 1, 7, and 8, the boss96 includes a depending flange |00 extending to approximately the levelof the lower edge of the rack 99 for somewhatmore of the periphery ofthe lower crab ring 64 than the rack 99 and extending somewhat below theupper surface of 15 whenthe crab adjusting rod 99 is in the positionillustrated in Fig. 'l with the pinion gear 98 meshing with the rack 99.

A lower annular groove |05 is formed in the crab adjusting rod 96 forthe reception of the ball |03 when the rod 96 is moved upwardly, so thatthe pinion gear 88 is out of meshing relationship with the rack 99. Thecrab adjusting rod 96 may thus be retained either in or out of meshingrelationship with the rack 99, being capable of actuation between suchpositions by the application of slight force to the crab control knob91. The cylindrical opening is closed by a screw |06 threaded into itsouter portion.

'I'he boss 95 is also provided with an enlarged bore |01 adjacent itsupper end. Positioned within the enlarged bore |01 are two vbrake blocks|08 formed of metal or the like and extending for somewhat less than 180around the crab adjusting rod 96. A compression spring |09 is positionedwithin a cylindrical recess ||0 formed in the Iboss 95 and communicatingwith the enlarged bore |01, so that it resiliently urges one of thebrake blocks |08 into pressural contact with the crab adjusting rod 96.Threaded into an opening in the hub 95 coaxially with the cylindricalrecess ||0 is an adjusting screw The brake blocks |08 have sufilcientplay within the cylindrical bore |01 that their pressural contact may bevaried by the manipulation of the adjusting screw to vary the resistanceoffered to the rotation of the crab adjusting rod 96. This resistancemay thus readily be made of that order of magnitude sufllcient toprevent the rotation of the upper crab ring 65 upon the lower crab ring64 in response to movements of the aircraft when the pinion 98 is inmeshing relationship with the rack 9,9. The elevation of the crabadjusting rod 96 to position where the ball |03 is received in the lowergroove permits the operator to quickly rotate the upper crab ring 65relative to the lower crab ring 84 in either direction by movement ofthe crab control knob 91 until the upper crab ring reaches approximatelythe desired position to compensate for crab of the aircraft. Thus, theupper ring 65 Vis rotated about an axis which is normally substantiallyperpendicular to the axis provided by the bearing sleeves 38 and also isin the same plane therewith. Similarly, the axis about which the upperring 65 rotates is perpendicular to the axis of the bearing sleeves 48and lies in that plane also.

The pinion gear 98 may then be lowered into meshing relationship withthe rack 99 so that nal and accurate `adjustment of the upper crab ring65 may be made by rotation of the crab control knob 91. The lower endsof the teeth of the pinion gear 98 are beveled to facilitate themovement of this gear into mesh with the rack 99.

The brake blocks |08 are retained Within the enlarged bore |01 by a cap||2 surrounding the crab adjusting rod 96 and secured to the upper endofthe boss 95 by a lock screw I3.

The upper crab ring 65 is provided with an indicator ||4 projecting fromits periphery over l and adiacent to a scale l I5 mounted upon the lowercrab ring 64 and bearing suitable indicia. such as degrees of rotationof theupper crab ring 65 relative to the lower crab ring 64 in bothdirections and neutral position. l'

Formed upon and extending upwardly from the upper crab ring 65 arediametrically opposed brackets ||6, each' provided with a complementarycap 1. Bolts H8 are extended through the caps ||1 into the brackets ||6to clamp upon such bracket supports |I9 extending from an aerial camera|20 so that the camera is rigidly secured to the upper crab ring 65.

Likewise formed upon the upper crab ring 65 v and projecting radiallytherefrom is a housing |2| having standard electrical connections |22adapted for the reception of electrical connectors of standard design.The connections |22 are each connected to an electrical conductor, theconductors being led through insulating tubes |23 and |24, carried bythe upper crab ring 65, and terminating in electrical connectors |25 and|26, respectively, which are supported in position convenient for thereception of plugs electrically connected to the camera by brackets |21and |28, respectively, which are secured to the upper crab ring 65.

Means for restraining the rotation of the first ring 4|l and the secondring 52 are provided by a slot |29 formed in the arm 53 associated withthe latter and in the arm carrying the segmental rack 46 associated withthe former extending from one side of each arm to adjacent the otherside thereof and a frusto-conical adjusting screw |30 threaded into anopening in such arm. The slot |29 extends diametrically through suchopenings, so that threading the adjusting screw 30 into the arm widensthe slot |29, thus forcing the segmental rack 46 or 54 into greaterpressural contact with its associated worm gear 45 or 65, respectively.'Ihis pressural contact may b'e readily varied until it reaches thatvalue at which rotation of the rst ring 4| and the second ring 52responsive to movements of the aircraft is prevented.

After a determination of the focal length of the aerial camera which itis desired to secure v upon the camera mount, the gibs 20 are loosenedin the ways 23 of the base members I8 by rotating the bolts 35. The setpins 3| are then removed from the openings 30 and 32, permitting theslides |9 to be moved vertically in the ways 23 until the openings 30 inthe slides register with the desired openings 32 in the base members A|8. The set pins 3| are then inserted into the registering openings,while gibs 20 are moved inwardly of the ways 23 to securely wedge theslides 'i9 within such ways. It will be apparent from Fig. 1 that themovement of the gibs 20 inwardly of the ways 23 wedges the slides I9between the gibs and the opposite side walls 24 of the ways 23 to securetheslides |9 against movement relative to. the base members I8. Such awedging action may be accomplished very quickly by the rotation of thehand levers 31 carried by the bolts 35.

'I'he camera |20 is then secured to the upper crab ring 65 by clampingits supports ||9 between the caps |'l1 and the brackets 6.

During flight, variations in the pitch or tip of the aircraft orvariation of its longitudinal axis from the horizontal may be quicklycompensated for by rotation of the tip control knob 44. Such rotationthrough the worm gear 45 and the segmental gear 46 rotates the rst ringv second axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and at aright angle to the rst axis.

Likewise during flight, variations in the crab of the aircraft orvariations of the longitudinal axis of the aircraft from coincidencewith the direction of true flight may be rapidly compensated for bymanipulation of the crab control knob 91. If theocrab control knob 01 belifted until the ball |03 is received in the lower groove |04 of thecrab control rod 08, the upper crab ring 65 may be rotated in eitherdirection relative to the lower crab ring M by appropriate pressure uponthe crab control yknob 01 until approximately the desired position ofthe upper crab ring 88 is secured. The pinion gear 90 may then belowered into mesh with the ack 00. whereupon the operator by rotation ofthecrab control knob 91 can quickly move the upper crab ring 08 to theexact position necessary to compensate for the crab of the aircraft. Itwill be noted that the adjustment for crab is made entirely by themanipulation of a single control knob with one hand of the operator. Theindicator ||4 accurately indicates upon the scale H5 in degrees the crabof the aircraft for which compensation has been made.

The operator bysuch adjustments is thus enabled to compensate entirelyfor all movements' of the aircraft within a very few seconds and withoutexerting any force directly upon the camera..

The lower crab ring 64, upper crab ring Il, and camera are supportedsolely by the torsional resis'tance of the resilient sleeves 1|, which,as previously explained, are under tension. The vibrations are absorbedby variations in the torsion to which the twelve resilient sleeves '1|'included in the four torsion linkages 03 are subjected. Since a greatdeal more, vibration can be absorbed by variations in torsion than byvariations in either compression or tension to which a resilient body issubjected, it will be under. stood that the resilient sleeves 1|effectively ab sorb substantially all of the vibrations from the therotation of the crab control rod 90 afforded by the contact therewith ofthe brake blocks |08, the pressure of such contact being adjusted to anyvalue necessary to accomplish this purpose by manipulation of theadjustment screw as previously described.

While that embodiment of our invention hereinbefore illustrated anddescribed performs the objects and'providesy the advantages primarilystated, our invention' may be embodied in various other forms and is tobe understood therefore as not restrictedJ to the specific formshereinto be rotatable relative to said first supporting member about asecond axis at substantially a right angle with said first axis; and athird supporting member adapted to support the article l and soconnected to said second supporting mem- Vber as 'to be rotatable.relative to said second supporting member about a third axis atsubstantially a right angle with said second axis and in the same planewith said -first axis, said lrst and second axes lying in substantiallyparallelplanes and said third axis being normally subll.stantiallyperpendicularI to said parallel planes.

aircraft and prevent their transmission to the camera.

We have found that the resilient sleeves 1| are capable of absorbingsubstantially'more than 85 per cent of vibrations of a lfrequency of1800 t i to 2500 cycles per minute with a maximum amplitude of .02 inch.f

The energy of the absorbed vibrations is dissipated as internal frictionwithin the resilient sleeves 1|, generating heat therein. This generatedheatis extremely beneficial in maintaining the resilient properties ofthe sleeves 1l at the extremely low temperatures to which the sleevesare subjected in flights at high altitudes.` It will ,be noted that eachof the torsion linkages 63 is so formed as to permit the secondsupporting member or ring 52 to move into planes spaced at differentdistances from the third supporting member or ring 62, which planes areparallel to the third supporting member. v

The movement of the camera relative to the mount in response tovariations in tip or tilt 2. In an article-supporting device, thecombination of: base means; a first supporting memv ber adapted forrotation relative to said means about la first axis; a second supportingmember so connected to said first supporting member as to lbe rotatablerelative to said first supporting member about a second axis atsubstantially a right angle with said first axis; a third supporing`member adapted to support the article and so connected to said secondsupporting member as to be rotatable relative to said second supportingmemberv about a third axis at substantially a right angle withsaidsecond axis and in the 'same plane with said first axis; and means forconnecting said first supporting member to saidbase means in any of aplurality of spaced positions.

3. In an article-supporting device, the combination of: base means; afirst supporting` member adapted for rotation relative to said meansabout a first axis; a second supporting member so connected to saidfirst supporting member as to be rotatable relative to said firstsupporting member about a second axis at substantially a right anglewith said first axis; a third supporting member adapted to support-thearticle and so connectedV to said second supporting member as to berotatable relative to said-second supporting member about a third axisat substantially a right angle with said second axis and in the sameplane with said first axis; a connecting member associated with saidfirst supporting member; and means including a pin adapted for receptionin openings in said connecting member and said first supporting memberfor connecting such members in any of a plurality of positions.

4. In an article-supporting device, the combination of: base meanshaving a way therein; a first supporting member adapted for rotationrelative to said means about a first axis; a second supporting member soconnected to said first sup-y said first supporting member about asecond axis at substantially a right angle with said iirst locking it insaid way for securing lsaid connectl i ing member to said base means inany of a plurality of spaced positions. Y

5. In a camera mount, thefcombination of: a -base member having thereina way with outwardly converging side walls; a rst ring adapted" forrotation relative to said member about a nrst axis; a second ring soconnected to said first ring as to be rotatable relative thereto about asecond axis at substantially arrlght angle Iwith said iirst axis; athird ring adapted for connection to a camera and so connected to saidsecond ring as to` be rotatable relative thereto about a third axis atsubstantially a right angle with said second axis and in the same planewith said rst axis; a slide connected to said first ring and received insaid way; a gib in said way; and means releasably locking said gib insaid way against said slide, whereby said rings may be secured in any ofa plurality of spaced positions relative to said base member.

6. In a camera mount, the combination of: a base member having therein aWay with outwardly converging side walls; a iirst ring adapted forrotation relative to said member about a iirst axis; a second ring soconnected to said iirst ring as to be rotatable relative thereto about asecond axis at substantially a right angle with said rst axis; a thirdring adapted for connection to a camera and so connected to said secondring as to be rotatable relative thereto about a third axis atsubstantially a right angle with said second axis and in thesame planewith said nrst axis; a slide connected to said nrst ring and received insaid way; a gib in said way; means releasably locking said gib in saidway against fsaid slide. whereby 'said rings may be secured in any of aplurality of predetermined spaced positions relative to said basemember; and pin means adapted for retaining said slide in any yof suchpositions when said locking means is released by extension into openingsin said slide and said base member.

7. In an article-supporting device, the combination of: base means; arst supporting member adapted for rotation relative to said means abouta rst axis; a second supporting member so connected to said rstsupporting member as to be rotatable relative to said nrst supportingmem- 2,393,85} Vporting member as to be rotatable relative to tivethereto about a second axis at substantially a right angle to said firstaxis; a third supporting member adapted for connection to the articleand so connected to said second supporting member as to be rotatablerelative thereto about a third axis at substantially a right angle withsaid second axis; and manually operable control means associated withsaid base member and said rst and second supporting members adapted forindependently rotating said first, second, and third supporting membersrespectively.

9. In an article-supporting device, the combination of: a base member; aiirst supporting member so connected to-said base member as to berotatable relative thereto about a iirst axis; a second supportingmember so connected to said iirst supporting member as to be rotatablerelative thereto about a second axis at substantially a right angletofsaid iirst axis; a third supporting member adapted for connection tothe article and so connected to said second supporting member as to berotatable relative thereto about a third axis at substantially a rightangle with said second axis; and gear means associated with each of saidsupporting members and manually operable for independently rotating saidsupporting members. Y

10. In an article-supporting device, the combination of: a base member;a first supporting member so connected to said base member as to berotatable relative thereto about a rst axis; a second supporting memberso vconnected to said iirst supporting member as to be rotatablerelative thereto about a second axis at substantially a right angle tosaid rst axis; a third supporting member adapted for connection to thearticle and so connected to said second supporting member as to berotatable relative thereto about a thirdv axis at substantially a rightangle with` said sec- 40 ond axis; control means connected to each ofber about a second axis at substantially a right y angle with said rstaxis; and a third supporting member comprising two elements, one ofwhich is adapted for supporting the article and rotating relative tovthe other of said elements about a third axis at substantially a rightangle with said second axis,` said other element being connected to saidsecond supporting member.

8. In an article-supporting device, the combination oi: a base' member;a iirst supporting member so connected to said base member as to berotatable relative thereto about a iirst axis;

La second supporting member so connected to said first supporting memberas to be rotatable relasaid supporting members and independentlyoperable for rotating said supporting members; and means resisting therotation of each of said supporting members, whereby their rotationresponsive to movement of said base member is prevented. y

11. In a camera mount, the combination of: a base member; a first ringso pivotally connected to said member as to be rotatable relativethereto about a flrst axis; a second ring so pivotally connected to saidrst ring as to be rotatable relative thereto about a second axis atsubstantially a right angle with said first axis; a third ring adaptedfor connection to a camera and so connected to said second ring as to berotatable about a third axis at substantially a right angle with saidsecond axis; a nrst gear means connecting said base member and said rstring; a second gear means connecting said first and second rings; and athird gear means connecting said second and third rings, each of saidgear means being manually operable'independently for inducing relativerotation of said rings connected thereto. i

12.111 a camera mount,.the combination of: a base member; a first ringso'pivotally connected to said member as to be rotatable relativethereto about a iirst axis; a second ring so pivotally connected to saidnrst ring as to be rotatable relative thereto about a. second axis atsubstantially a right angle with said iirst axis; a third ring adaptedfor connection to a camera and so connected to said second ring as to berotatable about a third axis at substantially a right angle with saidsecondaxis; a nrst gear means connecting said base member and said firstring adjacent their pivotal connection; a second gear means connectingsaid first and second rings adjacent their pivotal connection; and athird gear means connecting said second and third rings. each of saidgear means being manually operable independently for inducing vrelativerotation 'of said rings connected thereto.

13. In a camera mount, thel combination of: a base member; a first ringso pivotally connected to said member as to be rotatable relativethereto about a first axis; a second ring so pivotally connected to saidfirst ring as tofbe rotatable relative thereto about a' second axis atsubstantially a right angle with said first axis; a third ring adaptedfor connection to a camera and so connected to said second ring as to berotatable about a third axis at substantially a right angle with saidsecond axis; a first gear means connecting said base member and saidfirst ring; a second gear means connecting said first and second rings;

a third gear means connecting ,said second and third rings; and acontrol member associated with each of said gear means', each of saidcontrol members being manually operable to rotate one of said rings byactuation of said gear means and one of said control members beingoperable for actuating said associated gear means to inoperativeposition and for rotating said ring associated therewith independentlyof said associatedl gear means.

c member so connected to said base member as to base member; a firstring so pivotally connected v to said member as to be rotatable relativethereto about a first axis; a second ring so pivotally connected to saidfirst ring as to be rotatable relative thereto about a second axis atsubstantially a right angle with said first axis; a third' ring adaptedfor connection to a camera and so connected to said second ringas to berotatable about a third axis at substantially a right angle'with saidsecond axis; means connected with each of said rings and manuallyoperable independently for inducing independent relative rotation ofsaid rings connected thereto; retarding means associated with andresisting rotation of each of said rings; and means adapted for varyingthe resistance of said retarding means to rotation of said ringassociated therewith', whereby rotation of l said rings responsive tomovement of said base member is prevented.

15. In an article-supporting device, the combination of: a base member;a first supporting member so connected to said base member as to berotatable relative thereto about a flrstaxis; a second supporting memberso connected to said first supporting member as to be rotatable relativethereto about a second axis at substantially a right angle to said firstaxis; a third supporting member comprising two elements, one of which isadapted for supporting the article and rotating relative to the other ofsaid elements about a third axis normally at substantially a right anglewith said first axis and with' said second axis, said other elementbeing connected to said second supporting member; and manually operablecontrol means associated with said base member and said first and secondsupporting members adapted for independently rotating said first andsecond supporting members and said rotatable element of said thirdsupporting member respectively.

16. In an article-supporting device, the combination of: a basemember; afirst supporting member so connected to said base member as to berotatable relative thereto about a first axis;

be rotatable relative thereto about a first axis; a second supportingmember so connected to said first supporting member as to berotatable'relative thereto 'about a second axis at substantially .arightangle to said first axis: a third supporting member adaptedfforconnection to the article;. a rst link connected to said secondsupporting member; a second` link connected to said third supportingmember; and a body of resilient material under tension so connectingsaid links that said second supporting member is movable between planesparallel to and at different distances from said third supporting memberresponsive to variations in torque applied to said resilient body bymovement of said base member.

18. In a camera mount, the combination of a base member; a first ring sopivotally connected to said member as to be rotatable relative theretoabout a first axis; a second ring so pivotally connected to said firstring as to be rotatable relative thereto about a second axis atsubstantially a right angle with said firstv axis; a third ringl adaptedforfconnection to a camera; .a plurality of pivotally connected links;and resilient bodies under tension so connecting said links to each vother and to said second and third rings vas to allow movement of saidsecond ring between planes parallel to said third ring and to absorbvibrations of said base member by variations in torsion. f

19. In an article-supporting device, the combination of: a base member;a first supporting member so connected to said base member as -to berotatable relative thereto about a first axis; a

second supporting member so connected to said first supporting member asto be rotatable relative thereto about a second axis at substantially aright angle to said first axis; a third supporting member comprising twoelements, one element of which is adapted for supporting the article androtating relative to the other of said elements about a third axis atsubstantially a right angle with said second axis, said other elementbeingI connected to said second supporting member; and a resilient bodyunder torsion connecting said other element of said third supportingmember to said second supporting member and absorbing` vibrations ofsaid base member by deformation responsive to variations in torsionapplied thereto. s

20. In a camera mount, the combination of: a base member; a plurality ofsupporting rings, one of said rings being rotatably mounted upon saidbase, said rings being rotatably carried one within another on axes atright angles to one another; and separate gear means for the respectiverings and adapted to adjust the relative positions of said rings.

21. In bination of: a base member; a first supporting member operativelyconnected with said base member and adapted to rotatev about a firsthorizontal axis; a second supporting member rotatan article-supportingdevice, the comably mounted upon said nrst supporting member and adaptedto rotate about a second horizontal axis at right angles to said rstaxis: a third supporting member carried by said second supporting memberand rotatable about an axis normally substantially perpendicular to saidhorizontal axes; andvmeans for each supporting member adapted to adjustthe respective supports about their respective axes. I

22. In an article-supporting device, the combination of: a base member;a I'lrst ring pivotally connected with said base member and adapted torotate about a rst axis; a second ring including upper and lower ringmembers having a common axis passing through their centers andperpendicular to their planes and also perpendicular to said irst axis,the lower member being supported by' said rst ring. and said uppermember being adapted to support an article, said upper member beingrotatable upon said lower member about said common axis perpendicular tosaid iirst axis; and means for rotating said upper member. f-

23. A combination according to claim 22 including a plurality of groupsof links supporting said second ring upon said rst ring; and resilientmeans connecting links of each group under torsion and adapted to absorbvibrations imparted to said iirst ring.

24. In an article-supporting device, the combination of: a base member;a rst support pivotally connected with said base member and ro tatableabout a rst horizontal axis; a second support pivotally connected withsaid iirst support and rotatable about a second horizontal axis; and athird support adapted to support an article, said third supportcomprising an upper member and a lower member, the upper member beingrotatable upon the lower member about a vertical axis.

'25. A camera mount comprising in combination: a base member; a firstsupporting member pivotally mounted on said base member; a secondsupporting member; and a plurality of groups of links pivotallyconnecting said second supporting member with said rst supportingmember; and resilient means connecting the links of each group andadapted toabsorb vibration.

aseasoi 26. A combination according to claim 25 `Wherein links of each.group are pivotally connected together and each resilient means is atorsion means Vin the form of a tensioned rubber body disposed in saidpivotal connection.

27. In a camera mount, the combination of: a base member; a first ringpivotally connected with said base member and rotatable about a rstaxis;

a second ring pivotally connected with said first ring and rotatableabout a second axis substany tially at right angles tosaid rst axis; athird ring adapted to support a camera; a plurality of groups of linkspivotally connecting said third ring with said second ring; andresilient means between said second and third rings, said links andmeans resiliently supporting said third ring upon said second ring. y

28. A combination according to claim 27 wherein links of each group arepivotally connected together and each resilient means includes atensioned rubber body about the pivotal connections between the links,the rubber bodies being adapted to absorb vibration.

29. A combination according to claim 27 wherein said third ringcomprises upper and lower members, the lower member being carried bysaid links,

, and the upper member being rotatable on the lower member and adaptedto carry the camera.

30. In an article-supporting device, t combination of a base member; aiirst ring p votally connected with said base member and adapted torotate about a irst axis; a second ring including upper and lower ringmembers, the lower member being supported by said first ring, and saidupper member being adapted to support an article, said upper memberbeing rotatable upon said lower member about an axis perpendicular tosaid rst axis; means for rotating said upper member; a

' plurality of pairs of links supporting said lower member upon saidilrst ring; and resilient means connecting the links of each pair forresiliently supporting said second ring upon said rst ring.

JOHN lA. WILLS. ELMER P. WHEATON.

